Apparatus for determining the location of receptor regions

Abstract

An apparatus for determining the location of receptor regions including a nuclear resonance tomograph and an indicator device for the skin sites located directly above the receptor regions. The indicator device is in the form of one or more, preferably non-magnetic, indicator elements which can be placed on the skin, or a light marker device connected with the display unit of the nuclear resonance tomograph. The light marker device places a mark on the skin site located above the measurement area.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for displaying, identifying and indicating receptor regions within tissue and under skin of a patient, the apparatus comprises: a nuclear resonance tomograph means having a magnet and at least one coil and a controlling and computing unit; said tomograph means for generating images of physical properties of said receptor regions of said patient;   a display means coupled to said nuclear resonance tomograph means for displaying the physical properties of the tissue and for identifying said receptor regions; and   a light marker means connected to said controlling and computing unit for indicating skin sites directly above the receptor regions as identified on said display means.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light marker means comprises means for positioning said light marker means, said means for positioning said light marker means connected to and controlled by said controlling and computing unit. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a location of the light marker means on said display means. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for connecting said controlling and computing unit to said display means. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nuclear resonance tomograph means records the distribution of at least one of hydrogen atoms and protons in the tissue. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nuclear resonance tomograph means is a low field nuclear resonance tomograph. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coil includes a movable receiver coil adapted for placement directly on the skin and further includes a transmitter coil. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coil includes a movable combined transmitter and receiver coil adapted for placement directly on the skin. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light marker means is a laser marker means. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus for displaying, identifying and indicating receptor regions within tissue and under skin of a patient, the apparatus comprising nuclear resonance tomograph means for generating images of physical properties of the receptor regions of the patient including (i) a magnet,   (ii) at least one coil means for transmitting and receiving signals,   (iii) a controlling and computing unit having adjustment means, said controlling and computing unit controlling the transmission and reception of said signals and generating image signals from said received signals;     a display means coupled to said controlling and computing unit for receiving said image signals and displaying the physical properties of the tissue to identify said receptor regions;   a light marker means for indicating skin sites located directly above the receptor regions as identified on said display means, said light marker means including a light beam source emitting a light beam, and positioning means for positioning the light beam, said positioning means being connected to said adjustment means, said adjustment means mans controlling said positioning means to move said light beam and for moving move a mark on said display means corresponding to said light beam.